Nicky

The UK can possibly lay claim to some of the most famous, beloved authors in literary history! Classic British authors include Jane Austen, whose novels are still among the best-selling classics ever, Agatha Christie, the ‘Queen of Crime Writers’, Charles Dickens, Victorian novelist whose famous works include A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of mastermind detective, Sherlock Holmes, to name but a few! Let’s not forget the likes of Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl, A.A.Milne and [...]

An enjoyable day out...many of us will at some point have experienced the challenge of time spent/getting lost (!) in a maze! Did you know the word 'maze' dates right back from the 13th century and comes from the Middle English word meaning delirium or delusion? Hedge mazes became popular in British formal gardens and estates in the 18th century, providing entertainment and from time to time even the setting for secret meetings! Film buffs may recall the maze being used [...]

Dating back as early as the end of the 17th Century, fountains started out almost as a decorative ‘status symbol’ of the English Country House, and then with the development of the steam engine in the 19th Century, this technology allowed the imagination to flow as fountains could be designed with increasing dramatic creativity. As you plan your summer itinerary, for something different, why not include a visit to one of Britain’s splendid fountains and marvel at such a spectacle. Britain [...]

Officially launched in 2012, the Wales Coast Path reaches its 10th anniversary this year and with a calendar of events set to mark this milestone, it’s a great opportunity to discover the 870 miles of coastal path. Did you know…? Wales is the only country in the world with a continuous signposted path spanning its entire coastline! It runs from Chepstow in the south to the English border near Chester in the north and links along the way with the Offa’s [...]

2022 marks a significant historical landmark for our nation as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years of service, with the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend taking place from 2nd to 5th June. Why not take the opportunity to visit one of Her Majesty’s official residences this summer? Windsor Castle in Berkshire, is known to be the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world! It hosts an extraordinary collection of fine works of art in the [...]

Spring – that magical time when Mother Nature shows her greening hand and casts it across the winter-blackened woodlands and hedgerows. The sun, as it climbs higher in the sky, is the alarm call to some of the finest countryside in the world. The crisp air sharpens the landscapes and seascapes, the moors and mountains, the lakes and rivers. So what are we waiting for? How about a morale boosting spring time break in the great British and Irish countryside? Elsewhere [...]

As the days draw in, why not plan an Autumn break away before the festivities begin?! Our superb B&Bs throughout England, Scotland and Wales have all been specially selected and personally inspected by a member of our team. Our B&B hosts would love the opportunity of welcoming you to stay with them and tell you about their area. With that in mind as you set off on your travels, we hope our ‘B&B Collections’ can help you. By popular request, we [...]

Planning a break away? Then Sussex could be just the ticket! A quick overview of this lesser-known area of south-east England reveals 150 km of stunning coastline and the breathtaking landscapes of the South Downs National Park. It also includes the UK’s highest chalky cliff, infamous Beachy Head! Known as ‘Beau Chef’ by the Normans, it marks the end of the South Downs Way. Sussex is steeped in history, picture Bodiam Castle near Robertsbridge, renowned for being one of the most [...]

Still hopeful that it's not too late to see some late summer sun this September, there's no denying it though, the days are drawing in and before we know it Autumn will be truly upon us! Interestingly, officially, by the meteorological calendar, the first day of Autumn is always 1 September and ends on 30 November, but generally speaking the Autumn equinox falls around 22/23 September, as defined by the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The time of year that English [...]